Our Mission

The North Suburban Summer Academy exists to meet the needs of gifted individuals by creating an environment that celebrates student potential and nurtures a passion for rigorous learning. We build a sense of belonging through relationships within the academy and throughout the greater community.

The History of Summer Academy

Initiated in 1978, the North Suburban Summer Academy for high-potential students is a unique, intensive and exciting program designed to address the special needs of the high-potential student. It is sponsored through the cooperative efforts of the following 12 Minnesota school districts: Anoka-Hennepin, Centennial, Columbia Heights, Forest Lake, Fridley, Mahtomedi, Mounds View, North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale, Roseville, St. Anthony/New Brighton, Spring Lake Park, and White Bear Lake.

Summer Academy is an expanded, hands-on, interactive learning environment that extends out beyond the classroom walls to the greater Minnesota community. Students engage with community experts in the field and explore real-life learning places that relate to their class. Individual student projects are created during the academy to share at the Summer Academy Open House so that others can learn about the student’s experiences.

These expanded learning opportunities provide the highest level of real life learning for gifted students, support student potential, and nurture a passion for rigorous and challenging learning.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide dynamic, relevant programming for diverse gifted learners through a committed partnership of school districts.

Our Values

Complex cognitive exploration

Physical, social and intellectual safety

Individuality

Independence

Responsibility

Creative expression

About The Program

Summer Academy hosts over 1,250 students and 60 classes every summer. Students come from across the north metro area, and we want to make your first year at Summer Academy the best possible experience.

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What Parents Have To Say

“My daughter had a blast! She is a child that does not talk about what happens at school but every day when she got home she told us all about her day. I love it.”

“He was so eager to go each day, & learn new things. He was impressed with his teachers, who seemed supportive and offered him challenges.”

“My daughter told us last night, ‘They don’t do anything in a boring way here. Everything is creative and interesting.’ That is enough endorsement for us. Teaching them learning is about interesting new ideas, curiosity, and wonder is exactly our goal too.”

“My son had a great deal of problems with bullies and other students making fun of him during the school year. Not a child in SA has my son had difficulties with. Thank you for providing an outlet for my son to meet and interact with peers that have similar interests!”

12 Districts 1 Vision

To provide dynamic, relevant programming for diverse gifted learners through a committed partnership of school districts.